Lagerstroemia plant named ‘G18147’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct cultivar of Lagerstroemia plant named ‘G18147’ is disclosed, characterized by a clear white flower color, with only slight pink blush to petals under stress. Plants have a dwarf habit with dense branching from the base of the plant and superior Winter hardiness. Foliage is mid-green and shows strong field resistance to powdery mildew. The new variety is a Lagerstroemia, normally used for outdoor ornamental purposes.

Latin name of the genus and species: Lagerstroemia indica.

Variety denomination: ‘G18147’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The new Lagerstroemia cultivar is a product of a planned breedingprogram conducted by the inventor at a research nursery in Bellefonte,Pa. The objective of the breeding program was to develop new CrepeMyrtle plants with increased Winter-hardiness. The cross-pollinationresulting in this new variety was made during September of 2017.

The seed parent is the unpatented proprietary variety referred to asLagerstroemia ‘42533-2’. The pollen parent is the unpatented proprietaryvariety referred to as Lagerstroemia ‘42484-3’. The new variety wasselected in July of 2018 by the inventor in a group of seedlingsresulting from the 2017 cross-pollination, in a nursery in Bellefonte,Pa.

Asexual reproduction of the new cultivar was performed by softwoodcuttings. This was first performed at the same nursery in Bellefonte,Pa. during July of 2018, and has shown that the unique features of thiscultivar are stable and reproduced true to type in multiple successivegenerations.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The cultivar ‘G18147’ has not been observed under all possibleenvironmental conditions. The phenotype may vary somewhat withvariations in environment such as temperature, day length, and lightintensity, without, however, any variance in genotype.

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined tobe the unique characteristics of ‘G18147’. These characteristics incombination distinguish ‘G18147’ as a new and distinct Lagerstroemiacultivar:

-   -   1. Clear white flower color, only slight pink blush to petals        under stress.    -   2. Dwarf habit.    -   3. Densely-branched from the base of the plant.    -   4. Superior winter-hardiness.    -   5. Mid-green foliage with greyed-green veins.    -   6. Strong field-tolerance to powdery mildew.

PARENT COMPARISON

Plants of the new cultivar ‘G18147’ are similar to plants of the seedparent in most horticultural characteristics; however, plants of the newcultivar ‘G18147’ differ in the following:

-   -   1. ‘G18147’ is reliably dwarf in habit; seed parent ‘42533-2’ is        tall.    -   2. ‘G18147’ has clear white flowers; seed parent ‘42533-2’        frequently displays pink pigment in the flower petals.    -   3. ‘G18147’ blooms 7 to 10 days earlier than seed parent        ‘42533-2’.    -   4. ‘G18147’ has strong basal branching; seed parent ‘42533-2’        has a much looser branching.    -   5. ‘G18147’ blooms heavily and continuously; seed parent        ‘42533-2’ has a much shorter period of bloom.

Plants of the new cultivar ‘G18147’ are similar to plants of the pollenparent in most horticultural characteristics; however, plants of the newcultivar ‘G18147’ differ in the following:

-   -   1. ‘G18147’ is reliably dwarf in habit; pollen parent is taller.    -   2. ‘G18147’ has clear white flowers; pollen parent ‘42484-3’        frequently displays pink pigment in the flower petals.    -   3. ‘G18147’ blooms 3 to 5 days earlier than pollen parent        ‘42484-3’.    -   4. ‘G18147’ has strong, dense, basal branching; pollen parent        ‘42484-3’ has much more open branching.    -   5. ‘G18147’ blooms heavily and continuously; pollen parent        ‘42484-3’ has a much shorter period of bloom.

COMMERCIAL COMPARISON

Plants of the new cultivar ‘G18147’ are comparable to the commercialvariety Lagerstroemia ‘G2X13377’, U.S. Plant Pat. No. 30,765. The twoLagerstroemia varieties are similar in most horticulturalcharacteristics, however, the new variety ‘G18147’ differs in thefollowing;

-   -   1. New variety ‘G18147’ is dwarf and compact, 75-80 cm tall by        110-120 cm wide. Comparison variety ‘G2X13377’ is taller and        more upright, being about 90 cm tall by 105 cm wide.    -   2. New variety ‘G18147’ is more densely branched. Comparison        variety ‘G2X13377’ is more open in habit.    -   3. New variety ‘G18147’ has a more pure white flower color        Comparison variety ‘G2X13377’ is frequently tinged with red or        pink pigment.    -   4. Flower display of new variety ‘G18147’ forms an umbrella-like        canopy. Comparison variety ‘G2X13377’ blooms at the top of its        stems.    -   5. New variety ‘G18147’ has leaves which are mid-green with        grey-green veins. Comparison variety ‘G2X13377’ has light green        foliage.

Plants of the new cultivar ‘G18147’ are comparable to the commercialvariety Lagerstroemia ‘Black Diamond Pure White’, unpatented. The twoLagerstroemia varieties are similar in most horticulturalcharacteristics; however, the new variety ‘G18147’ differs in thefollowing;

-   -   1. New variety ‘G18147’ is a compact shrub, rarely growing more        than 30″ high. Comparison variety ‘Black Diamond Pure White’ is        a small tree, reaching 10-12 ft tall.    -   2. New variety ‘G18147’ has small, mid-green foliage with        grey-green veins. Comparison variety ‘Black Diamond Pure White’        has large, dark violet, almost black leaves.    -   3. New variety ‘G18147’ is reliably hardy to USDA zone 6a.        Comparison variety ‘Black Diamond Pure White’ is only hardy to        USDA zone 7.    -   4. Flowers of variety ‘G18147’ are clear white with an        occasional pink blush. Comparison variety ‘Black Diamond Pure        White’ has pure white flowers.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

The accompanying photograph in FIG. 1 illustrates a typical floweringplant of ‘G18147’ grown outdoors in Bellefonte, Pa. at approximately 6months old.

FIG. 2 illustrates a close-up of the inflorescence.

FIG. 3 illustrates a field grown plant at about 6 months.

The photographs were taken using conventional techniques and althoughcolors may appear different from actual colors due to light reflectanceit is as accurate as possible by conventional photographic techniques.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

In the following description, color references are made to The RoyalHorticultural Society Colour Chart 2015 except where general terms ofordinary dictionary significance are used. The following observationsand measurements describe ‘G18147’ plants grown outdoors in Bellefonte,Pa. The growing temperature ranged from approximately 18° C. to 28° C.during the day and from approximately 6° C. to 12° C. during the night.General light conditions are normal sunlight and numerical valuesrepresent averages of typical plant types. Measurements were takenduring August of 2019 and August of 2020.

-   Botanical classification: Lagerstroemia indica ‘G18147’.

PROPAGATION

-   Type of propagation typically used: Softwood cuttings.-   Time to initiate roots: 10 to 14 days at about 24° C.-   Time to produce a rooted cutting: 21 to 28 days at about 24° C.-   Root description: Thin fibrous, dense, moderate branching. White in    color, not accurately measured with RHS Chart.

PLANT

-   Age of plant described: About 6 months old from a rooted cutting.-   Container size: 3 liter container.-   Growth habit: Mounded and upright flowering shrub.-   Plant spread: 95 to 110 cm.-   Plant height: 60 to 75 cm.-   Plant vigor: Strong.-   Length of primary lateral branches: 60 cm on average.-   Diameter of lateral branches: 8 to 10 mm.-   Quantity of lateral branches: About 40.-   Stem:    -   -   Color.—New growth: Near RHS Green 135B. Old growth: Near RHS            Grey-Brown 199A.        -   Shape.—Round.        -   Strength.—Strong.        -   Aspect angle.—Mostly upright.        -   Texture.—Pubescent then woody with age.-   Internode length: Average 3.0 cm.-   Bark peel: Not observed.

FOLIAGE

-   Leaf:    -   -   Arrangement.—Sub-opposite or opposite.        -   Average length.—3.5 cm.        -   Average width.—2.0 cm.        -   Shape of blade.—Elliptical.        -   Apex.—Acute.        -   Base.—Obtuse.        -   Margin.—Entire.        -   Texture of top surface.—Smooth to slightly ribbed.        -   Texture of bottom surface.—Smooth with prominent veins.        -   Color.—Young foliage upper side: Near RHS Green 141B. Young            foliage under side: Near RHS Green 141C. Mature foliage            upper side: Near RHS Green 141A. Mature foliage under side:            Near RHS Green 141C. Venation: Type: Pinnate. Mature            Venation color upper side: Near RHS Yellow-Green 153A.            Mature Venation color under side: Near RHS Greyed-Green            195B. Immature Venation color upper side: Near RHS            Greyed-Red 179B. Immature Venation color under side: Near            RHS Greyed-Green 195B.        -   Petiole.—Length: 1 mm. Diameter: 1 mm. Texture, upper side:            Smooth. Texture, under side: Smooth. Color upper and lower            surfaces: Near RHS Greyed-Green 195B.

FLOWER

-   Natural flowering season: Late June until October.-   Inflorescence form: Panicles.-   Flowers per inflorescence: About 25 open flowers and 50 buds.-   Inflorescence size:    -   -   Width.—20 cm.        -   Height.—Average 20 cm.-   Individual flowers:    -   -   Type.—Rotate.        -   Shape.—Obovate.        -   Habit.—Whorled outward.        -   Diameter.—4.0 cm.        -   Depth.—2.0 cm.        -   Persistence.—Self-cleaning.        -   Fragrance.—Light floral scent.-   Petals:    -   -   Arrangement.—Whorled.        -   Number.—6.        -   Shape.—Overall irregular orbicular.        -   Aspect.—Undulate.        -   Margin.—Undulate, loosely crenate.        -   Tip shape.—Rounded.        -   Base shape.—Rounded.        -   Length.—1.5 cm.        -   Width.—1.5 cm.        -   Texture.—Upper: Glabrous. Lower: Glabrous.        -   Color.—When opening: Upper surface: Near RHS White N155C.            Under surface: Near RHS White N155C. Fully opened: Upper            surface: Near RHS White N155D. Under surface: Near RHS White            N155D.-   Bud:    -   -   Shape.—Sphere.        -   Length.—7 mm.        -   Diameter.—8 mm.        -   Color.—Near RHS Green 142C.        -   Prominence of suture.—Weak.-   Calyx:    -   -   Shape.—Unguiculate.        -   Length.—11 mm.        -   Diameter.—5 to 10 mm.-   Sepals:    -   -   Appearance.—Glossy.        -   Arrangement.—Rotate, fused.        -   Shape.—Narrowly triangular.        -   Tip shape.—Acute.        -   Base shape.—Obtuse.        -   Margin.—Entire.        -   Quantity per flower.—6.        -   Length.—9 mm.        -   Width.—3.5 mm.        -   Margin.—Entire.        -   Texture.—Inner: Coriaceous, rugose. Outer: Smooth.        -   Color.—Inner: Near RHS Green 142C. Outer: Near RHS            Greyed-Green 192A.-   Peduncle:    -   -   Length.—Average 1.0 cm.        -   Diameter.—1 mm.        -   Texture.—Glabrous.        -   Color.—Near RHS Yellow-Green 145B.        -   Orientation.—Upright and outward.        -   Strength.—Strong.-   Pedicel:    -   -   Length.—1.3 cm.        -   Diameter.—8 mm.        -   Angle.—About 45 degrees or less from attachment.        -   Strength.—Good.        -   Texture.—Smooth.        -   Color.—Near Greyed-Red 182A.

REPRODUCTIVE ORGANS

-   Stamens:    -   -   Number.—About 30.        -   Filament length.—1 cm.        -   Filament color.—Near White 155D.-   Anthers:    -   -   Shape.—Linear.        -   Length.—1 mm.        -   Color.—Yellow 13A.        -   Pollen.—Sparse, colored near Yellow 13A.-   Pistil:    -   -   Number.—1.        -   Length.—1.5 cm.-   Stigma:    -   -   Shape.—Globular.        -   Color.—Near RHS Orange-Red N34A.        -   Ovary color.—Near RHS Green-Yellow 1D.

OTHER CHARACTERISTICS

-   Fruits and seeds: Not observed to date.-   Disease/pest resistance: Shows good field-tolerance to leaf spots    and powdery mildew. The observed resistance to mildew is assumed to    be for the pathogen Erysiphe lagerstroemiae. Typically leaf spot on    Lagerstroemia is caused by Cercospora lythracearum.-   Temperature range: Observed to tolerate a temperature range from    about −25° C. to 35° C. Root hardy to −28° C., with plant dying    back, but, surviving.

What is claimed is:
 1. A new and distinct cultivar of Lagerstroemiaplant named ‘G18147’ as herein illustrated and described.